Tucked into a corner of the store, Snug felt content.

Here the darkness and cold couldn't touch him.

For a new sun blazed.

Amira wiggled in his arms, letting out a contented sigh as she shifted into a more comfortable position.

Snug didn't understand how he had lived before her. Whenever they were apart, the world somehow seemed dimmer, like something had been ripped from it.

And whenever he saw her, it brightened to almost painful heights, like a star had descended to the mortal earth.

This was something beyond the understanding of men.

My son’s power held, even after all the ages, its light blessing the worthy.

His contented musing was interrupted by Mr. Mittens’ hissing approach.

Amira shifted to give him a quick peck,

“You better go back to the front desk now.” she said reluctantly.

“Do I have to?” Snug questioned.

She chuckled, gave him another peck and slipped out of his arms. Groaning, Snug rose to his feet and straightened his clothes.

Waiting at the front desk was Amir, leader of the Sarb boys.

Internally Snug groaned recalling the first time Amir had found him here. If not for Amira he wasn't sure he would have made it back in one piece. Ever since Amir had taken every opportunity to come and harass Snug. He had made it plain that Snug wasn't welcome.

Amir’s eyes followed Amira as she headed upstairs, his interest plain.

Fighting down his ire, Snug politely asked Amir if he needed help.

Strangely the boy seemed hesitant as he responded,

“I… I wanted to apologize.”

Snug was so shocked he almost fell over.

“When you first started working here,” he continued, “I was suspicious. I thought it was another ploy to humiliate the Sarbs. But you have proved me wrong. I heard about the argument you had with Ricky and his thugs,”

Again it struck Snug how similar Amir and Ricky were. Both prideful yet fair. So many people among the Sarbs and Eureks were mirrors of each other. If only they could see it.

Amir continued,

“That took guts. You deserve more respect than I gave you. For that I'm sorry.”

For a second Snug was silent, struggling to push his shocked brain into action.

“Thank you.” he finally managed to reply, “That means a lot.”

Amir nodded stiffly,

“You’re welcome.”

The silence between them soon grew awkward.

“So… is there anything else.” Snug questioned.

“Actually,” Amir replied hesitantly, “I was wondering if you could explain why you’re doing this again?”

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Snug was once more taken aback. They truly had done these people a disservice by listing them as lesser. Amir was showing far more flexibility and foresight than any Eurek.

“It all started when I asked Amira if…”

The conversation continued for hours.

Bringing with it visions of peace.

—--------------------------------------

For a time, all was peaceful. The seeds Snug had planted were beginning to sprout, their roots pulling the Sarbs and Eureks closer together than ever. Hostility was still plentiful, but it was lower than ever before. For a time it seemed that Snug would succeed in uniting the disparate groups into one.

Alas, nothing is ever so easy.

The storm came on a warm Sunday morning.

Tucked into a small nook nestled between 2 trees, Amira and Snug cuddled under the spring sun, enjoying the warmth.

Snug let out a sigh,

“Amira?”

“Yes, love?”

“When are we going to tell them?”

“Tell who?”

“Your family, Amir. I worry that if they see us together they might get the wrong idea.”

“Oh? And what's the idea?” she replied, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper.

Snug hurriedly continued,

“I worry they might think I made all of this up to get you. I worry that our relationship might break what we’ve built.”

“And why is that?”

Snug sighed,

“If they think I came here for you, it will confirm their suspicions no matter how irrational. They will stop seeing me as a boy who simply wants peace and see me once more as a boy who came to steal one of their daughters.”

Amira rolled over to stare at him,

“Who says I can be stolen?” she challenged.

Her challenging eyes were too much to resist, and he leaned in to kiss her eyelids.

“You know what I mean,” he entreated as he pulled away, “how old fashioned some of them are.”

“Yeah, I know” Amira acknowledged, “But together we can get through this. We will realize our dream.”

They continued to snuggle, unaware of the small boy watching them in shock.

—------------------------

When they got home, they found Amira’s father talking to Amir in the front of the store. Snug’s stomach dropped as he saw their expressions. He stepped forward, raising his hands,

“I can explain.” he desperately entreated.

Amira’s father turned on him, rage in his eyes,

“I trusted you boy! I believed in you! I fell for your stupid message! I thought there could be peace!”

I have witnessed many types of rage in the eternity of my existence. Cold and hot. Impulsive and targeted. Yet none compare to the rage of the men of broken faith. There is no fury greater than that of the scorned believer.

Except for perhaps that of a scorned lover.

In the face of the barrage, Snug desperately turned to Amir for support, hoping the friendship they had built up would compel Amir to defend him. Only to find that rage mirrored, mirrored alongside heartbreak.

Snug’s heart fell as he watched everything he had built begin to unravel.

“Thief!” Amira’s father roared, a blow to Snug’s racing heart, “You came here not to spread peace, but to steal my daughter!”

In the face of such rage Snug faltered. And in his place Amira stepped forward.

“I love him, Abba! I love him because of his desire for peace! You have no right to interfere!”

Her father shouted something back, but Snug was too busy reeling to catch it.

It was the same god damned argument. The same argument he fought against his dad, the same argument they had had on the first day Snug started working. The words were different, but the essence was the same. The old oppressed the new, telling them they didn't understand. That they weren't ready. Well Snug rebelled against that. He had seen what their reality was. He would not stand for it.

Amira’s father’s words snapped back into clarity,

“You’re too young to understand.” he snapped, “let the adults handle this.”

He looked at Amira, beautiful as she fought the same battle. He reached out and took her hand, forestalling her response. Together they could win.

“Sir, I love your daughter.” he stated, gathering the full weight of his ethos behind it.

Amira’s father actually stopped for a second, looking surprised at their intertwined hands.

This was their chance.

But they forgot something. Amira’s father was no longer alone. Perhaps the rage of a scorned lover is greater after all.

Snug opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by Amir.

“You would dare claim her in front of us!” he roared, “How dare you!”

His words spurred Amira’s father into action and together they pushed Amira and Snug back.

They fought for their dreams with all they had, but sometimes hate, no matter how short lived, prevails.

In the end, Amira kneeled in the dirt road, tears streaming from her face as Snug was carried away.